Monday, April 13, 2009

It's not just about Location, Location, Location!

We want to make sure that the event we have planned for so many months and spent countless nights thinking about is memorable to our guests, but do not forget to capture the memories for yourself! While we all want to incorporate "the" current trends into our weddings, birthday celebrations, corporate events, etc., you need to also remember that photography isn't excluded from trends. I married my husband six years ago and photography wasn't "trendy" and now, while I cherish my wedding photos, they're so standard, traditional and well, boring! These are some top trends to consider when wanting to capture your wedding day and other events. These tips will definitely make sure that your guests and YOU will never forget your day!

9 Hot Wedding Photo Trends:1. Become the Center of AttentionIead of flowers, fill photo cubes with different shots from your dating history or world travels and then use them as table centerpieces. It's a great conversation-starter and a nice way for guests to learn more about the early stages of your relationship. And unlike fresh blooms, you can decorate your home with these afterward.

2. Be the FavorsHave your photo imprinted on cookies and leave one at each place setting. Opt for a black-and-white, vintage-looking image so it doesn't come out cheesy. Wrap the cookie in wax paper and tie with a ribbon. Then let guests eat their hearts out -- and your faces off!

3. Head to the CityEngagement cityscape shoots are popular because of the iconic quality of posing by recognizable landmarks. No skyline? Shooting against an urban brick wall can convey the same message. Use your favorite image in your save-the-dates or, for instant reception decor, blow up one of the pictures, mat it, and set it on an easel near the escort cards. Display other shots in your table cards.

During the Reception...

4. Ditch the FormalityTry some casual shots, like the bride sitting on a staircase right after the ceremony, breathing a sigh of relief, with champagne at her feet. Or consider finding an "unofficial" setting. If your reception is at a country club, take pics on the golf course. Ask your photographer to get candids of your group making their way there. It's those between-the-moments photos that always turn out best.

5. Go Behind the CurtainRent a photo booth and a technician to troubleshoot. Have guests tape wacky shots next to their messages in the guest book. Or create a DIY photo studio in a section of the reception room. Hang a nine-foot-wide seamless paper for a backdrop and bring a printer so guests can take photos home.

6. Let it SlideRun a slideshow of images from the ceremony and cocktail hour from your photographer's laptop and project them on a screen during dinner. Guests will love looking at what they just experienced, and they'll have plenty to talk about at the tables.

After the Reception...

7. Go DigitalInstead of mounting a few photos on a wall in traditional frames, display a bunch in a single digital frame. Upload multiple images from a memory card or your computer and watch a slideshow of your day. You can even add music. It makes a great gift too.

8. Book 'EmSkip the traditional album (the one with thick-as-cardboard, single-photo pages) in favor of high-quality coffee table books, like AsukaBooks. The images are printed on paper, and the layout is more like what you'd see in a magazine. Opt for a leather-bound or Lucite-covered book for a classic look that's less stuffy than a traditional album.

9. Learn to PreserveEnlarging some final prints on museum-quality, fiber-based, silver paper will definitely be worth the purchase down the road when your precious memories are still intact. "A photograph on this paper could last for several hundred years," says Jen Kroll, a photographer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When archiving your photos and negatives, choose acid-free boxes, negative-sleeves, and binders. They're pricey, but the absence of acid prevents your photos from yellowing or deteriorating.

Profile

I still do not know how a girl with a double major in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies with a minor in Arabic ended up owning a Social Event Planning Business! Let's just say that the gears started shifting when I had my beautiful twin boys, Peyton and Parker. I have a love of entertaining, organizing and being surrounded by creativity.